Device for reducing turbulence in printing press fountains



Dec. 24, 1968 '1'. J. HARTKA 3,417,693

DEVICE FOR REDUCING TURBULENCE IN PRINTING PRESS FOUNTAINS Filed Dec. 2.1966 THEODORE J. HART/(A INVENTOR ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3417,693 DEVICE FOR REDT JCING TURBULEN CE IN PRINTING PRESS FOUNTAINSTheodore J. Hartka, Baltimore, Md., assignor to The Ward-TurnerMachinery Company, Baltimore, Md., a 5

corporation of Maryland Filed Dec. 2, 1966, Ser. No. 598,722 3 Claims.(Cl. 101364) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates generallyto printing presses, and more particularly it pertains to roller typefountains for applying liquids, such as inks or glues to impressionrollers.

Roller fountains are commonly used in printing presses and box-makingmachines for uniformly coating a roller with a liquid. At high speedoperation, a problem arises wherein a turbulence of liquid occursbetween the fountain roller to a point where it surges and splashesacross their tops and no longer is smoothly distributed.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a simpleanti-turbulence device for use with fountain rollers which is in thenature of a spoiler or damper to check the tendency or the liquid toagitate above the nip.

Another object of the invention is to provide a flexible vane which dipsinto the liquid buildup between fountain rollers and separates it intotwo unequal smaller quantities with reduced turbulence therebetween.

Other objects and attendant advantages of this invention will becomemore readily apparent and understood from the following detailedspecification and accompanying single sheet of drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a somewhat schematic and partially exploded view inperspective showing an ink roller fountain embodying features of thisinvention; and

FIG. 2 is a cross section showing to somewhat larger scale the detailsof the improved ink roller fountain of FIG. 1.

In the drawings, reference numeral indicates generally ananti-turbulence device. This device 10 is used with the customary inkroller 12 that applies a film of ink to a printing roller 16 of aprinting press. The ink roller 12 as well as a wipe roller 14 dip into awell (not shown) or otherwise receive ink on their surfaces from acirculating supply.

The direction of rotation of these rollers 12, 14 and 16 is as shown bythe curved arrows in FIG. 2 with the "ice peripheral speed of rollers 12and 16 matching at contact. The wipe roller 14, however, preferablycontacts the ink roller 12 with a lower peripheral speed so as toperform a wiping action.

A bracket 18 is mounted on screws 20 to each side of the frame 22 of theprinting press. These brackets 18 each have a U-shaped slot 24 toreceive the ends and mount a tubular support 26 therebetween over theink roller 12 generally parallel with its axis.

A spoiler 28 preferably made of thin sheet polyethelene is provided witha pocket or tube 30 along one edge made by returning the sheet uponitself and heat sealing at a.- lap joint 32.

The spoiler 28 is hung on the support 26 by means of this pocket or tube30 and extends its free end to enter a pool or fountain 34 of liquid andtangentially contact the face of roller 12 below the liquid surface.

This pool or fountain 34 normally exists in the nip between the rollers12 and 14 and at high operating speeds has a tendency to turbulence andsplash. This tendency is effectively controlled by the spoiler 28 thusallowing higher operating speed and more economical operation of theprinting press or a gluing machine as the case may be.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention arepossible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to beunderstood that within the scope of the appended claims the inventionmay be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed is:

1. In a roller type liquid distribution system, a first roller, 2.second roller, said first and second rollers being in peripheral nipcontact, means to apply liquid to said first and second rollers and forma liquid reservoir at the nip thereof, and a thin flexible sheetextending into said liquid reservoir separating it into unequalportions, with said sheet having its free end tangentially in contactwith one of said rollers, to reduce the turbulence of the liquidcontained in said reservoir, whereby improved liquid distribution tosaid first and second rollers is obtained at high revolving speeds.

2. In a roller liquid distribution system as recited in claim 1, whereinsaid thin sheet is formed of polyethelene.

3. In a roller liquid distribution system as recited in claim 2, and rodmeans for supporting said thin sheet above said reservoir, with saidthin sheet being folded over upon itself to form a tube, with said tubebeing slipped over said rod means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,613,600 10/1952 McWhorter101-350 3,018,757 1/1962 Loppnow 118-259 X 3,273,535 9/1966 Krikorian10l-364 X ROBERT E. PULFREY, Primary Examiner.

